OHL playoff preview: Western Conference

Jackson Doherty of the Owen Sound Attack watches as his shot hits off the far post behind Knights goaltender Joseph Raaymakers in their game on Friday, January 26, 2018 at Budweiser Gardens. (Mike Hensen/The London Free Press)

OHL WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1) Sault Ste. Marie vs. (8) Saginaw

Head-to-head: The Greyhounds won seven of eight and finished a whopping 49 points ahead of the Spirit.

Matchup: The Hounds were the best team in the Canadian Hockey League most of the season. They also led the OHL in goals (317) and the Spirit are the only playoff team without 200.

Big guns: Dangerous Morgan Frost (Flyers) bettered his totals by 22 goals and 50 points this season and tied Danny Syvret’s 13-year-old league plus-minus record (plus-70). He’s still 18 . . . Boris Katchouk (Lightning) is the big finisher in a group of five 30-goal men . . . Taylor Raddysh (Lighting), acquired from Erie, already has 54 playoff games and an OHL title under his belt . . . Goalie Matt Villalta owns a ridiculous 40-5-2-2 record . . . Over-age d-man Marcus Crawford led Saginaw in scoring (13-40-53) … Mason Kohn was an under-rated addition with 19 goals and 49 points after move from Oshawa . . . No goalie played more than Evan Cormier (Devils). He appeared in 61 games and logged 3,433 minutes.

Cool stat: The Hounds lost one game in regulation at home — their first one, against Oshawa.

Tide-turners: Be careful with the man advantage against the Soo — they had 23 short-handed goals. Oh, look, the Spirit have the league’s worst power play at 14.7 per cent.

Prediction: Greyhounds in four, including a few lopsided scores.

(2) Kitchener vs. (7) Guelph

Head-to-head: Guelph only won twice in eight meetings, but both were in the final week. The Rangers finished 21 points ahead of the Storm.

Matchup: The Rangers seized a chance to top a weakened Midwest Division and the Storm are gearing up for next year.

Big guns: Senators prospect Logan Brown (9-15-24 in 17 games) has battled injury. If former Spitfire stays healthy, the Rangers are much better up the middle . . . Adam Mascherin (Panthers) scored 40 goals after two straight 35-goal seasons. He’s consistent . . . Givani Smith (Red Wings) will be parked in front of the opposing crease, just like he was when he played for Guelph . . . Isaac Ratcliffe (Flyers) popped 41 goals and is the Storm’s true power forward . . . Former No. 1 pick Ryan Merkley (13-54-67) can be deadly in offensive end and needs a good series to boost draft stock . . . Workhorse goalie Anthony Popovich appeared in 60 games and when he’s on, watch out.

Cool stat: Rangers had 21 road wins, tied with London, Hamilton and Sarnia for second-most in the league (behind the Soo’s 24).

Tide-turners: Rangers starter Mario Culina, Memorial Cup backup in Windsor last year, has to shine under giant microscope. Guelph lost 13 of its final 16 games, so a timely hot streak would be welcome.

Prediction: Because Kitchener has been blah lately, Guelph is a viable upset pick. But I can’t. Rangers in six.

Cool stat: Sarnia hasn’t been to second round since Steven Stamkos’ second year, in 2008. Windsor hasn’t been to Round 2 since Ryan Ellis was captain (2011).

Tide-turners: The Sting brought in Cam Dineen (Coyotes), Jonathan Ang (Panthers) and Michael Pezzetta (Canadiens) to bolster this run. DiPietro needs to steal it for the Spits.

Prediction: Sting should steamroll in four.

(4) Owen Sound vs. (5) London

Head-to-head: London won four of six, including two in Owen Sound. Attack finished two points ahead, but Knights had one more win.

Matchup: Both teams dug themselves out of giant holes in the standings. London started 1-8-1 and Owen Sound was awash in injuries.

Big guns: Attack star Nick Suzuki (Golden Knights) reached 100 points, 31 more than next teammate. He usually performs well against hometown Knights . . . They have two other 30-goal men (sophomore Aidan Dudas and Flyers pick Maksim Sushko) and Jonah Gadjovich (Canucks) had 25 in just 42 games . . . Healthy Sean Durzi changes blue-line dynamic. He had 49 points in 40 games . . . Evan Bouchard became first London d-man to lead team in scoring and tied Rick Corriveau’s 27-year-old franchise record with 87 points. He’ll play a ton this series . . . Goalie Joseph Raaymakers had a 1.95 GAA and .942 save percentage in last year’s playoffs — better than anyone . . . After becoming youngest Senator to make NHL debut, Alex Formenton won world junior gold and scored 29 goals in 48 games.

Cool stat: The Knights have lost in the first round just twice in 15 years — once against the Attack (2011).

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